what describes the college course readings

by Lucius Hane 10 min read

College instructors often set aside reserve readings for a particular course. These consist of articles, book chapters, or other texts that are not part of the primary course textbook. Copies of reserve readings are available through the university library; in print; or, more often, online.

Full Answer

What is the purpose of academic reading?

Reading for college isn’t the same as reading for pleasure or even just reading to learn something on your own because you are casually interested. In college courses, your instructor may ask you to read articles, chapters, books, or primary sources (those original documents about which we write and study, such as letters between historic figures or the Declaration of Independence). …

What do instructors expect students to read in college?

Since many college reading assignments (especially journal articles) are written in a similar style, you’ll gain experience studying their strategies and learning to emulate them. Exposure to different viewpoints: One purpose of assigned academic readings is to give students exposure to different viewpoints and ideas. For example, in an ethics class, you might be asked to read a …

How many hours a week should a college student read?

College Textbook Reading Assignments and Class Time Activity Regardless of the fact that professors often assign textbook readings to students as part of their course requirements, reports have clearly articulated that many students (perhaps most of them), do not actually complete the course readings as instructed (Lei, Barlett, Gorney, &

Why do colleges assign so many reading assignments?

class activities to promote their independent reading of course materials, including testing over the textbook readings, shortening the reading assignments, providing advanced organizers to guide note-taking while they read (and offering credit for them), and using the textbooks in class (Aagaard & Skidmore, 2009).

What are course readings?

A reading course is a specially designed course not normally offered as part of the curriculum that is arranged between a student and a faculty member. The course is run as a tutorial and counts as a regular course.

What do you do in college readings?

Here are some active reading strategies and tools you can use to bolster your reading for college.Find Your Reading Corner. ... Preview the Text. ... Use Smart Starting Strategies. ... Highlight or Annotate the Text. ... Take Notes on Main Points. ... Write Questions as You Read. ... Look Up Words You Don't Know. ... Make Connections.More items...•Aug 25, 2020

What is a college reading class?

This introductory course develops students' ability to apply, monitor and adjust a variety of reading strategies for increased comprehension and metacognitive awareness. The focus of this course is to develop the reading competencies necessary for success in college level courses.

How do you describe a course of study?

The term Course of Study refers to an integrated course prepared for academic studies. It is a series of courses that every student should complete before they progress to the next level of education. A usual course of study in high school involves classes in the core subject area.

Why is reading is important?

When you read, you exercise your comprehension abilities and your analytical abilities. It fires up your imagination and stimulates the memory centers of your mind. It helps recall information as well as stabilize your emotions. The importance of a reading habit is that it strengthens mental muscles.Aug 10, 2020

What are the benefits of reading?

Top 10 Benefits of Reading for All AgesReading Exercises the Brain. ... Reading is a Form of (free) Entertainment. ... Reading Improves Concentration and the Ability to Focus. ... Reading Improves Literacy. ... Reading Improves Sleep. ... Reading Increases General Knowledge. ... Reading is Motivational. ... Reading Reduces Stress.More items...•Aug 6, 2020

Is reading required for college?

All college courses include a set of literary works or textbooks for students to read. Most, if not all, curricula are developed around one or more of these books. Collectively, required readings reflect the academic culture of a university.Mar 21, 2021

Do you have to take reading in college?

You can't do it all. But you can make it seem like you did. Coursework in college demands an enormous amount of reading. Almost regardless of your major, you will be expected to read and comprehend substantial piles of information, articles, books, essays, reports, research, interviews, and novels.Dec 2, 2013

How do you read a faster course?

These are the best speed reading courses currently available:Best Overall: “Super Reading by Jim Kwik” (Mindvalley)Best Free Course: “Speed Reading Mastery: Double Your Reading Speed in 7 Days” (Skillshare)Most Comprehensive: “Speed Reading Foundation Course” & “Speed Reading Mastery Course” (Iris Reading)More items...

What is the course description?

A course description is. a short, pithy statement which informs a student about the subject matter, approach, breadth, and applicability of the course.

What should a course description include?

Your description should focus upon the content of the course or the learner, not upon the course itself or you as the teacher. To attract learners, the description should emphasize the benefits to the learner coming from either the results of attending the course or from the value of the subject matter itself.Sep 30, 2015

How would you describe a good course?

Tips on Writing a Compelling Course Description Enticing and interesting. Factually complete and accurate. Provides solid course information.Apr 9, 2021

Why is it important to read before class?

Reading before class helps you put ideas together between your reading and the information you hear and discuss in class. Different disciplines naturally have different types of texts, and you need to take this into account when you schedule your time for reading class material.

What is the pre-reading stage?

During your preview stage, sometimes called pre-reading, you can easily pick up on information from various sources that may help you understand the material you’re reading more fully or place it in context with other important works in the discipline. If your selection is a book, flip it over or turn to the back pages and look for an author’s biography or note from the author. See if the book itself contains any other information about the author or the subject matter.

Why is active reading important?

Active reading takes longer than reading through passages without stopping. You may not need to read your latest sci-fi series actively while you’re lounging on the beach, but many other reading situations demand more attention from you. Active reading is particularly important for college courses. You are a scholar actively engaging with the text by posing questions, seeking answers, and clarifying any confusing elements. Plan to spend at least twice as long to read actively than to read passages without taking notes or otherwise marking select elements of the text.

How to determine your reading speed?

To determine your reading speed, select a section of text—passages in a textbook or pages in a novel . Time yourself reading that material for exactly 5 minutes, and note how much reading you accomplished in those 5 minutes.

What is primary source?

Primary sources are original documents we study and from which we glean information; primary sources include letters, first editions of books, legal documents, and a variety of other texts. When scholars look at these documents to understand a period in history or a scientific challenge and then write about their findings, the scholar’s article is considered a secondary source. Readers have to keep several factors in mind when reading both primary and secondary sources.

What is skimming in reading?

Skimming is not just glancing over the words on a page (or screen) to see if any of it sticks. Effective skimming allows you to take in the major points of a passage without the need for a time-consuming reading session that involves your active use of notations and annotations.

What are the learning objectives?

Learning Objectives. Identify effective reading strategies for academic texts in a variety of formats. Casual reading across genres, from books and magazines to newspapers and blogs, is something students should be encouraged to do in their free time because it can be both educational and fun. In college, however, instructors generally expect ...

What is the goal of a research paper?

This means that the goal of the paper is to research a topic and develop an argument about it using evidence and facts to support your position. Since many college reading assignments (especially journal articles) are written in a similar style, you’ll gain experience studying their strategies and learning to emulate them.

Where does information come from?

Information comes from reputable sources: Web sites and blogs can be a source of insight and information, but not all are useful as academic resources. They may be written by people or companies whose main purpose is to share an opinion or sell you something.

What is the Center for Teaching and Learning?

The Center for Teaching and Learning supports the Assessment Certificate Program —a unique collaboration between DePaul and Loyola universities that provides professional development opportunities for faculty and staff in the field of assessment.

What is a learning goal?

Learning goals are broad statements written from an instructor's or institution's perspective that give the general content and direction of a learning experience. They generally describe what an instructor or program aims to do; i.e., “The curriculum will introduce students to the major research methods of the discipline.”

How to write learning outcomes?

Why Write Learning Outcomes? 1 describe to students what is expected of them 2 plan appropriate teaching strategies, materials and assessments 3 learn from and make changes to curriculum to improve student learning 4 assess how the outcomes of a single course align with larger outcomes for an entire program

Where are learning outcomes used?

Outcomes are used on many scales, from developing curriculum for a program of study to creating lessons for a single class activity. At the highest level, learning outcomes can be established at the university level. You can review the learning outcomes for DePaul graduates at the institutional level or program level.

What is learning objective?

Learning Objectives. Learning objectives are statements of what you intend to teach or cover in a learning experience. They tend to be. More specific than learning goals. Not necessarily observable nor measurable. Instructor-centered rather than student-centered. Useful in helping you formulate more specific learning outcomes.

What should outcomes be?

Outcomes should specify the skills and knowledge students must demonstrate to prove mastery instead of focusing on the assignment format, such as a quiz or essay. Well-worded outcomes should remain flexible enough to accommodate a variety of formats for a corresponding assessment.

What is linguistics?

Linguistics – Linguistics isn’t just the study of different languages; it’s the analysis of language form, meaning and context. As students get into higher-level linguistics, things start to get more complicated. Colleges don’t mess around.

What is the purpose of statistics?

Statistics – Statistics involves collecting, analyzing, interpreting, presenting and organizing all aspects of data. That means it involves a lot of charts, numbers, equations and controlled experiments with numbers, which many students find confusing to follow, difficult to comprehend, and monotonous.

Why is theory so difficult?

Many find theory difficult because the courses study different explanations of thought and the results behind them. The subjects can be difficult to follow and rigorous in terms of course material, which is likely why students often deem theory subjects among the most challenging.

Is calculus a nightmare?

Calculus – If you’re not into math or not math-minded, calculus can be a nightmare given the abstract and difficult concepts in mathematical theory, like limits, functions, derivatives, and integrals. Enough said.

Is quantum mechanics a subject?

Quantum Mechanics / Physics– What some describe as a tedious subject to learn, other students find the abstract aspects, like the theory that everything is made of waves and not particles, applied to numbers is challenging to comprehend. Apparently, you either get quantum mechanics and physics or you don’t.

Is organic chemistry difficult?

It’s certainly difficult. There’s a consensus that it takes a lot of work, memorization, and commitment. With motivation, however, it is manageable. In organic chemistry, students will study the structure, properties, and reactions of organic compounds and organic materials. Sponsored.

What is an engaging lesson?

Engaging – An engaging lesson is usually one where the students can actually participate, rather than sitting and watching. Exciting – If you find learning to be enjoyable and you just can’t wait for the next lesson, you might call school an exciting place.

What is a kind school?

Kind – A kind school would have teachers who are generous, smiling and patient with you while you learn. It may also focus on teaching the values of kindness. Life-Changing – A life-changing education would be one that gives you skills to go out and make the sort of life you wouldn’t have been able to otherwise.

Why is school boring?

Boring – Many children think school is boring because they have to sit in a classroom all day. Reading textbooks and doing practice exercises all day doesn’t help either. Claustrophobic – You might feel claustrophobic in a classroom if you’re an outdoorsy person. You’d feel like a bird locked inside a cage all day long.

What is flexible school?

Flexible – A school that will make accommodations for you and your specific learning needs might be described as one that is ‘flexible’. Friendly – We always hope when we walk into a classroom that there will be lots of friendly faces around us. As a teacher, I always strive to create a friendly environment.

What is high expectations in school?

High Expectations – A school that sets high expectations is one that wants you to do the best you possibly can, and won’t accept anything less. Important – Most of us believe that learning is one of the most important things we can do so that we can succeed at life.

What is a challenging school?

Challenging – A challenging education would be one that sets high expectations, is difficult to complete, but also would be rewarding once you overcome the challenges that were set. Disciplined – A disciplined school would be one that has educators who ensure students are well-behaved at all times.

What does it mean to be accommodating to your teacher?

This means they will change the way they teach you to make sure you learn to the best of your ability.

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Curriculum

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Learning outcomes describe the learning that will take place across the curriculum through concise statements, made in specific and measurable terms, of what students will know and/or be able to do as the result of having successfully completed a course. 
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Goals

  • These terms are often used interchangeably and they are all related to the teaching and learning that is expected to take place in the classroom. However, the difference between goals or objectives and outcomes lies in the emphasis on who will be performing the activities. Learning goals and objectives generally describe what an instructor or program aims to do; i.e., This cour…
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Introduction

  • Writing learning outcomes should be a reflective process. Many departments find the following steps to be helpful as they begin the process of creating learning outcomes for their courses.
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Characteristics

  • If your department already has learning goals that it would like to develop into outcomes or is examining its current learning outcomes there are several characteristics to look for:
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Availability

  • The Center for Teaching & Learning is available to consult with departments and individual faculty members on developing learning outcomes.
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Assessment

  • As mentioned, identifying the most important things students should learn within your course is the first step in deciding what should be assessed, but learning outcomes have other uses as well; they:
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